For Release: July 21, 1998

Contact: John Faultus 222-2632

PROVIDENCE - Do you want to be a lifeguard next summer? Or, do you now have a Conditional certification for 1998? The Department of Environmental Management's Division of Parks and Recreation will administer Surf and Non-Surf Lifeguard Certification tests to certify lifeguards for 1999 during the first two weeks of August 1998.

Any candidate who passes one of these tests will be certified through September 30, 1999. Lifeguards who received a Conditional 1998 Surf or Non-Surf certification must take and pass one of these tests next month.

Surf tests for 1999 will be given daily Monday, August 3 through Friday, August 7 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Scarborough State Beach in Narragansett. Non-surf tests for 1999 will be given daily from Tuesday, August 11 through Friday, August 14 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Goddard Memorial State Park in Warwick. Wearing water shoes for the test at Goddard is recommended. No appointment is necessary. For those who pass the tests, there is a $10 fee for the 1999 State Certification Card.

In case of inclement weather, candidates should contact the facility where the tests are being given for any cancellation information: Scarborough telephone 789-2324; Goddard Park telephone 884-2010.

All lifeguard candidates must be at least 16 years old and must bring a photo ID with verification of date of birth to the test. Candidates under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to sign the application/waiver of liability form.

In addition, all candidates must bring and present the valid safety cards required in lifeguard training, first aid, and appropriate CPR which includes adult, infant, and child CPR training. These must be original, up to date, unaltered cards and not due to expire within 30 days.

For further information, contact DEM's Division of Parks and Recreation headquarters at 277-2632 between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays; TDD 222-4462.